Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 704: Shri Sarasvati (ōṃ sarasvatyai namaḥ)

From Namam 684 to 741 the glories of the Divine Mother were discussed.

The Divine Mother is in the form of knowledge. Saras is lake and Vati is one who possesses, giving a meaning that She holds the vast amount of knowledge.

The Divine Mother is Sarasvati or the ruler of or function of all sixty-four arts. The souls are deceived by ignorance or Maya; the Divine Mother guides and provides means to them to grow into higher maturity level. Through arts/culture, humans in samsara (birth and death) cycle, can gradually move to higher maturity. Through arts/culture the glories of the universe can be understood. By developing and improving the arts/cultural aspect, humans learn to move towards ultimate happiness (Paramanada) or Brahman.

The epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, dance, painting, and music help to refine human nature. Lord Krishna used the flute to inspire all beings and take them to a higher maturity level. Sarasvati, who is the store house of all arts, is also learning always. She is an example to the souls to reach higher maturity. All kala in Sarasvati is deep in the hearts and minds of humans. Humans bring them to life and such action is helped by praying to the Sarasvati. Through that the souls can attain the Brahman.

Sarasvati provides knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom is pure; Sarasvati is pure white in colour; She is using white lotus flower as Her seat. She is holding bija mantra mala. Wisdom or knowledge gives happiness, like veena music. She is also holding the veena in Her hands. Knowledge has no beginning and end, when it expands, there is no celebration for its growth. With an unknown starting point, a stream running smoothly is called ‘saras’. Manasaras stream is very famous. Knowledge is also smoothly running like a stream due to Her grace. She provides us knowledge to clear our ignorance and seek Brahman or ultimate happiness.

The Bharadvaja Smrti says, ‘She who resides in the tongue of all beings and guides their speech is called “Sarasvati” by the great rsis.’ Also, ‘She is Sarasvati as She is the one who shows the way for all eyes.’ (Vasistha Ramayana).

Saras is a lake; and that lake referred to here is Brahmadanda lake, from which there is a flow of nectar. Thus, the secret meaning of this Nama is that the Divine Mother is the one with Brahmadanda form, from where the  nectar flows.  Vasistha Ramayana also says that Sarasvati is the flow of knowledge or impressions obtained from the senses.

Sarasvatim is hidden river in northern India flowing from the Himalayan mountains and merging with Ganga and Yamuna in Prayag (Trivani Sangamam).

The Divine Mother is in the form of Knowledge or as Sarasvati Devi.

C N Nachiappan

Singapore, 29 December 2021.; Updated 23 February 2025

References:

1.      The Thousand Names of the Divine Mother published in English by Mata Amritanandamayi Center, San Ramon, California, USA, with Commentary by T. V Narayana Menon

2.      Shri Lalitha Sahasranama Stostram published in Tamil by N. Ramaswami Iyer charities’ societies, Trichirapalli, India, with Commentary by C. V. Radhakrishna Sastry.

3.      The Lalitha Sahasranamam published in Tamil by Shri Ramakrishna Thapovanam, Thiruipparaithurai, Trichy District, Tamilnadu, India with commentary by Shrimath Swami Sithbavandar